A long and healthy life; Longevity

There are people in our lives whom we admire to a greater or lesser extent. Mustafa Kemal Atatürk is at the top of the list of people I admire most. Is it possible not to admire him? 

My father comes in second; he passed away at the age of 97. His last words were always, "I could never get enough of working in this world." He departed quietly and peacefully. May their souls rest in peace.

I could name a few more, but one of those I truly admire is a quintessential Anatolian woman, Muazzez Cesur. In a month, we will celebrate her 101st birthday. She is healthy in every respect and has a brilliant, clear mind. She is brave enough to maintain a healthy life, fitting for her surname!

A life to be envied and admired. Both a long and a healthy life. About a month ago, she broke her shinbone (tibia). Although the doctors said there was a 50% chance of death, she accepted the surgery without blinking. She said, "I trust myself and my doctors." And she signed the papers. Now she is walking. She reads. She finishes a book a week. She is closely interested in the country's problems. She has quite a few friends at this age. Jokes and conversations abound. She leads a consistently positive life. A smile and laughter are never missing from her face. How does she look to the future? With hope and excitement.

I went to visit her a few days ago. I asked, "Aunt Muazzez, you were born 2 years after the proclamation of the Republic; how did you reach these ages in such good health?" "I was born in Kemaliye, Erzincan. If you have seen it, life there was quite difficult in those days. The natural conditions and environment you are born into are quite important in human life. In my childhood and youth, my father would have me drink a liqueur glass of grape juice or red wine at noon, and a glass of milk at night before going to bed." Grape juice is a powerful antioxidant.

"I read a lot. My social circle is both rich and very strong. I always look at life positively. I have never been pessimistic in my life. I went, I saw, I always walked. I traveled. I worked very hard and have reached these ages successfully."